The Detroit Pistons were watching yesterday’s Final Four games closely, as they contained several prospects they could target in the 2022 NBA Draft.
One of those prospects was Paolo Banchero, who led the Duke Blue Devils with 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks even though his team ultimately came up short against North Carolina.
Caleb Love, who is a prospect to watch for the Pistons in the second round, led UNC with 28 points even though he only hit 3-of-10 from long range.
Banchero showed why he is considered a top-3 prospect, as he scored a efficient 20 points, flashing his plus athleticism and playmaking ability in the process.
However, the Tar Heels were targeting him defensively late in the game, which has some people wondering if Banchero’s defense should be a concern for whatever team ends up drafting him.
Banchero is the favorite prospect of Cade Cunningham, and the Detroit Pistons will definitely consider him if they land in the top-three. So should they be concerned that he was effectively targeted on defense by a college team?
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My initial answer to this question is: Of course not.
Almost all college players improve defensively once they reach the NBA, where coaches are much better at using individual talents of their players.
You don’t draft in the top-3 for defense unless that player is a potential game changer on that end and even then, they still wouldn’t go in the top-3.
If Chet Holmgren couldn’t shoot or put the ball on the floor, his ceiling as a prospect would be much lower and we wouldn’t be talking about him as a number one pick, even with his potentially elite rim protection. It’s his offense at that size that makes him special.
You can find good defenders up and down the Draft and even into the second round (Herbert Jones anyone?), so even if Banchero couldn’t play a lick of defense, which is not the case, he projects as an elite offensive player, which is far more valuable and difficult to find.
Banchero’s ability to put the ball on the floor and create at his size would make he and Cade Cunningham a potential force in the pick-and-roll, so if it takes Banchero more time to get there defensively, you live with it.
He is an elite athlete and a smart player who is still just a freshman in college, so he has the tools to improve on defense and at worst will be a guy who isn’t elite but doesn’t kill you and at best he’ll be a shot blocking force off the weak side.
I think concerns about Banchero’s defense are overblown at this point, especially when you look at the guys behind him on the big board, many of whom have the same weakness, but don’t offer his ceiling offensively.